The Glass Works (Lloyds No 1), N1

Pleasing to see the attractive green tiled exterior has been preserved in this community pub in a residential part of town. The interior has been updated, the bar is central and the (now) one room wraps around either side. Light coloured pine type chairs and tables plus a few sofas, light coloured wooden floors with rugs. Pot plants, candles and flowers on the tables, functional modern bar with a tiled frieze. There are framed adverts of probably long gone local businesses, old maps and the odd tin sign. There is also a bar billiards table in the "Smoking Room" to the left of the bar. A selection of board games is available. A good range on, Everards Tiger, Triple fff Brewery Moondance, Itchen Valley Godfathers, and GK IPA. Well kept and brim full measures too. I personally prefer a more careworn feel to a pub, but this was still a pleasant relaxing spot.

Modern looking from the outside, if you like that sort of thing, and ok on the inside. Not as busy as I thought a Wetherspoons pub usually is. Maybe its the setting, a shopping centre/mall with a few groups of noisey teenagers hanging around, it might seema bit intimidating and this was a week day lunch time. Anyway, only 5 real ales on tap, 2 Ruddles & 3 Rebellion. This was a lunch time and they had only one staff member working the bar, so everyone had to queue, I was stuck behind 3 people who wanted food and by the time I got served i forgot which ale I wanted, the sole bar staff was very helpful and we went down the bar to the ales where I was quickly served, she said the queue earlier was right up to the door. I would like to give a high rating for the friendly staff and choice of ales, but the queue system deserves a low rating.

This modern shopping mall Lloyds Bar has, on the face of it, very little appeal. It is generally fairly quiet by day but gets more clubby in the evenings when the loud music kicks in. The faceless interior has a sunken level at the front with the now obligatory sofas, low tables and modern artwork although it looks like the multiple TV's have been toned down as they were not as “in your face” as I recall from previous visits. The big plus on my recent trip is that they have doubled the number of hand pumps to 6 with 3 guests alongside the staple Ruddles County, Abbott and Marcle Hill Cider. Unfortunately it is a lucky draw as to how many will have the “Available Soon” clip attached. Prices are cheaper than most central London ‘Spoons (guest ales £1.89 – most are over £2 including the nearby Angel). Whilst it may have shown some signs of improvement, the music is still annoyingly rubbish and overall it is still a pretty dull place to visit. I certainly couldn't make a long night of the place.

Official page of The Glass Works - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk

Official page of The Glass Works - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk